14 November 2019, Kathmandu
One day workshop with law, justice and human rights committee on legal provisions of LGBTI community conducted in Kathmandu. The program which was organized by Mitini Nepal and supported by UNDP kicks off with the welcome remarks by Biswal Neupane. Pursuing the workshop, executive director of Mitini Nepal, Sarita K.C. formally introduced Mitini Nepal as an organization working for capacity building of LGBTI community and organizing awareness campaigns since long along with radio programme “Mitini Sanga Maan Ka Kura” in all seven provinces. K.C. also introduced LGBTI community mentioning Article 12, 18 and 42 of the Constitution has guaranteed rights relating to such community. However, ‘no formal scholarship programme for LGBTI from the Government of Nepal has introduced while unacceptable activities such as bullying and physical harassment are still practiced in society for which literacy campaigns should be organized to overcome such problems’-she added. She also urged on certain provisions which should be formed in making national identity card so that such community will be counted properly in the coming 2021 census.
Speaking on the program, Uma Shankar Aryal addressed on the issues of LGBTI expressing his commitment to work for such gender and sexual minorities. Representatives from LGBTI community Suraj Rai, Shristi Tamang,Suvhasna Gurung , Biswal Neupane and Chandani Karki have shared their stories strongly demanding for non-discriminatory laws for them including equal right to education and employment most importantly. Similarly, Krishna Bhakta Pokhrel explained four factors that should be prioritized while forming laws. He stressed on that time will take to change the mindset of the society towards such community and for it continuous effort will be needed so far. In the program, former law minister Rameshwor Ray Yadav, Goma Devkota, Maya Neupane from law, justice and human right committee were participated. The one day workshop ended with the closing remarks by the founder president of Mitini Nepal, laxmi Ghalan.
